2009.07.08
Temperatures, and sometimes tempers, soar
iStock photo
It's the time of year when we in the media feel compelled to remind everyone not to leave pets and small children in cars. The temperature inside a car in the summer heat with the windows rolled up can soar to 120 degrees and can cause heat stroke and death in less than 20 minutes.
But I would also like to say that when you see a situation that seems perilous, like a dog left in a car with the windows rolled up, I think you are compelled to find the owner and politely offer help. Emphasis on politely.
Yesterday morning, with temperatures in the mid-80s and low humidity, I was out on a reporting assignment when I saw a parked car with a beautiful golden retriever in the back hatch inside a crate. All the windows were rolled up.
The car was in the parking lot when I arrived so I had no idea how long the pooch had been in the car. This lot was also on a busy highway with lots of construction work near by, so it was very noisy.
I went inside to the building and asked the receptionist if she knew about the dog in the car. Another woman in the lobby said it was her dog, and that the car was running, she was headed right out and everything was OK. That was most likely true and I just couldn't hear the engine over all the other noise. The dog did not appear to be in distress.
I think the woman was annoyed and offended with me for butting in. I really tried to be polite about asking, and smiled at her and thanked her as she left. I certainly did not mean to imply she was not being a good pet parent; she did have her dog in a crate in the car so I could assume she cared about her dog's safety.
I just wanted to make sure that someone was aware the dog was there and that I could find help for the dog if needed.
I am not going to let offending someone keep me from preventing a pet, child or anyone else from getting hurt, but I do believe it is best to approach such a situation not from a place of accusing anger, but from a place of helpful concern. I thought that's what I did and I regret that the lady understood it any other way.
So the lesson I learned, besides not to leave living things in a closed car in the summer (I killed some houseplants that way once years ago) is try to keep your cool on either end of a sticky situation.
Perhaps she would have preferred it if you had called the cops first instead of trying to find her so she could explain it to them?? I've realized that when it comes to pets and children there is nothing you can say that won't make the parent indignant - regardless of whether or not you speak the truth. You did the right thing Nona and I'm sure you were polite. If the lady knew she had done nothing wrong then it should have been just as easy for her to be polite in her response. Dog or child safety far outweighs the snooty or irritable replies you'll encounter. I think she and others like her are just embarrassed to be "called out" and the way I see it - they'll get over it!!
Comment by Kim — July 8, 2009 @ 3:57 pm
This lady should have been glad rather than upset. She should have been glad that someone even noticed that her pet was there and asked about its wellbeing rather than just let a potentially deadly situation go fatal without it being questioned. If I have to take my Golden to the vet, I make as few stops, if any, as possible to prevent leaving him alone and someone potentially stealing him or something happening to him.
This lady is upset about called out as Kim I said. She will get over it. The safety and wellbeing of a pet or child goes way beyond the nasty remarks and behaviors of the parent/s. Yes, I agree sometimes we should keep to ourselves, but when it concerns the wellbeing of a pet or child. For those who have ever been nasty to someone about the wellbeing of your pet/child in a car, please try to remember that we are trying to help you and look after the wellbeing of YOUR child/pet, not get in your business.
Comment by Kim II — July 8, 2009 @ 5:08 pm
I agree with Kim on this issue! If I had seen the dog or if I see anything (pet or child) locked in a car, I would hunt down the owner or call the police if necessary.
Comment by Deborah — July 8, 2009 @ 7:00 pm
When I'm out training with my dogs there are often times fairly long periods when I'm away from my car with one dog inside in a crate, the doors locked, engine running and the air conditioning on. The temperature in the car is always cool and comfortable and surprisingly it doesn't use much gas, BUT, I always wonder if something similar to this story will happen. So, in light of this story and for all others who use this method to keep your dogs cool while away - I will post a sign in the window saying something like 'engine running, air on, dogs OK'.
Comment by Tracy Orndorff — July 9, 2009 @ 9:05 am